Thermaltake ToughPower DPS G 850W Power Supply Review - PAGE 1

Wouldn't it be great if your computer system's power supply could warn you if it was in danger of overheating, probably due to the fan failure? Even better, being able to use your smartphone to adjust the PSU's fan speed from a low noise to performance setting. While you're at it, maybe you would also like to know your electrical cost or performance data over certain time frames. You can do that and more with Thernaltake's DPS G power supply featuring PC APP 2, DPS G Smart Power Management Cloud 1.0, and DPS G Mobile APP 1.0 support.

The DPS G 850W power supply was originally introduced back in October, 2015. Then in January 2016, Thermaltake introduced the DPS G App 2.0 software for digitally monitoring key factors of your power supply and motherboard (CPU and VGA voltages, current, wattage, etc.), calculating electrical cost, dynamic monitoring, recording/saving usage pattern and even sharing this information on the cloud and/or with friends. All of this information can allow you to keep your computer system functioning at its peak potential while taking note of any potential problems as they develop.

This will be my first time to test a power supply that has an embedded digital controller with a software package to monitor and record data for analysis, plus it will also be the first 80 Plus Gold emblem power supply. My plan for this review is to compare the Toughpower DPS G 850W Power Supply against my newly replaced TR2 700W Power Supply 80 Plus Bronze rated unit, and I will also take a glance at the DPS G App 2.0 software.

Packaging:
The Thermaltake Toughpower DPS G 850W power supply and cables are packaged in a large compressed cardboard box with a matte black background color. Across the middle of the top panel is a photo and description of the power supply in a multi-color display. Along the bottom is a yellow band highlighting several PSU features: 7 year warranty, ErP Ready, 80 Plus Gold, SLI Ready Digital, Haswell Ready and 850W.

The bottom panel has more product information for the DPS G 850W, including the real-time performance monitor and digital controller. You'll also get a sneak peak at the different modular cables and power output specifications.

The only other notable item is the four features of the PSU on the front panel, translated into twelve languages. The other three panels just have the Thermaltake name and photos of the PSU.

Closer Look:
The Thermaltake Toughpower DPS G 850W power supply has a matte gold color fan shroud with the Tt emblem in the middle. The bottom of the power supply has the serial number bar code, model name, specifications and warnings.

The two side panels have just the product name and 80 Plus GOLD emblem, with a red accent stripe below.

The power cable side is simple with the power connection, ON/OFF switch and the two rubber anti-vibration bumpers at each end. The modular cable side has the USB monitor port at the top, with markings to indicate the type of cable port to prevent any incorrect connection.

Below is an assortment of power cables that come with the PSU. Starting at the upper left we have the motherboard main power cable, the CPU power cable and the USB monitor cable. At the far right are the three PCI-e power cables that have two video card connections for each cable. The other cables are for connecting SSD/hard drives, Blu-Ray/DVD drives, as well as one cable for an old style floppy drive. Included in the box is a bag to hold your extra cables, which can come in handy when the Thermaltake Toughpower DPS G 850W PSU is in transport or storage.

Here we see the Thermaltake Toughpower DPS G 850W PSU mounted in our test system with the necessary cables connected, and hidden with cable management for a neater appearance of the test computer case.

Specifications: 

Information courtesy of Thermaltake http://thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_0000238